Archive for January, 2009

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

The Guilty Admission: I Hate My Name

January 20, 2009

king-cemetary

It’s true. I hate my name.

Not my first name. I love the name Aliya. It used to be unique. Until Aliya the singer came along. Then it seemed like every third girl I met was named Aliya. Still love it. I like the way it sounds and I think it suits me. And I love my middle name too. Although I only use my initial, it’s still a special part of my name. And my last name? King. How could you not love that?!

It’s regal. And of course, I’ve always wondered if I’m in anyway related to the Reverend Doctor.

So, my birthname: Aliya S. King. I love it.

It’s the butchering that happened a few years ago that I HATE.

(more…)

Posted in The Guilty Admission | 43 Comments »

Facebook FriendRequest Phobia©

January 19, 2009

1-friend-request-wipe

I didn’t request you as a friend on Facebook.

There, I said it.

And it’s because I have Facebook FriendRequest Phobia©.

I joined Facebook about a year ago. And from the beginning, the whole thing scared me. I was immediately poked. And then I was pelted with a virtual snowball. What the–?

For months, I just lurked. I read the Status Updates and clicked through to look at other people’s friends.

My Inbox quickly filled up with Friend Requests from former co-workers, high school friends and family members.

I loved logging on and seeing the icon with the number of Friend Requests. (And don’t even pretend like you’re not excited when you see lots of Friend Requests. Or that you’re not bummed when you don’t have any.)

But Facebook is high school all over again. And for me, this comes with some issues…

(more…)

Posted in Uncategorized | 27 Comments »

The Week In Review:

January 17, 2009

picture2life_00000_original2

Dear readers, what have we learned this week?

(more…)

Posted in The Week In Review | 9 Comments »

Flashback Friday: The Biggie Belt

January 16, 2009
Chris Wilder.

This story on B.I.G., the first national press he received, was published in The Source. And it was written by one of my favorite Source A-teamers: Chris Wilder. I wonder if Big’s wearing the Biggie Belt here…

In the winter of 1999, I was promoted at The Source from Staff Writer to Associate Music Editor.

Honestly, I was less then excited about the new title. All I wanted to do was write. Not edit. But after changes at the top, I had no choice. There was no longer a budget for a free-spirited thinker to travel the country and write whatever she wanted to. I could still cover stories but I’d have to edit and assign some stuff too.

The best part of my promotion? I was moving out of the projects!!

(more…)

Posted in Flashback Friday | 57 Comments »

Geek Love: My UniBall Pens

January 15, 2009

plantspenspics1

Writers are a neurotic bunch. And we all have our own quirky little things we need to get into the zone. Some of us need a particular brand of notebook or a certain blend of coffee. Some need a quiet space. Some need the white noise of a crowded café.

I’m pretty flexible on where I can write. (Although of course, my office is my very favorite place to be).

I’m not flexible on what I can write with.

90% of my job is done on my trusty Macbook. But when I’m in the field, interviewing someone, or just sitting at my desk writing notes or doodling, I need a writing instrument.

It’s taken several years for me to find just the right pen.

(more…)

Posted in Geek Love | 55 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »